annona
annona Lexical Profile
annona Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The sweet, fleshy, compound tropical fruit produced by any tree or shrub of the genus Annona, such as the cherimoya, soursop, or sugar apple, characterized by soft, creamy pulp and numerous dark seeds.
"At the tropical market, we sampled a ripe annona with a rich, custard-like texture."
Any tropical tree or shrub belonging to the genus Annona (family Annonaceae), native primarily to the Americas and Africa and cultivated for its fragrant flowers and edible fruits.
"The orchard in southern Florida cultivates several varieties of annona alongside mangoes and avocados."
In ancient Rome, the annual grain supply gathered from the provinces and distributed to the citizenry, or the public administration responsible for managing it.
"Roman emperors closely supervised the annona to prevent food shortages and civil unrest in the capital."
• Rhymes for annona
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
In its botanical sense, the word derives from New Latin Annona, adapted from Taíno anon, an indigenous Caribbean name for the custard apple; in its historical sense, it comes from Latin annōna, meaning 'yearly produce', from annus ('year').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.